Northend United Youth FC

Coleraine Youth Academy U13s 3 Northend United U13s 2 - Friendly

Wednesday 5th May 2010

Northend U13s travelled to the Crescent Playing Fields on Wednesday night to play Coleraine Youth Academy in a hastily arranged friendly match.

With some key players unavailable, Northend took this opportunity of trying out some players in different positions. This proved to be an obstacle to the team as Coleraine ran in three goals in the first fifteen minutes.

However such is the spirit of this Northend team that their heads did not drop but instead they began to take the game to Coleraine after this.

Kyle Crawford and Jamie Speirs were causing the Coleraine defence all sorts of problems and from a Jamie Speirs throw in, Jordan Donnelly was on hand to beat the keeper with a low drive to make the score 3-1 to Coleraine.

As Northend continued to dominate for the rest of this half, Jordan Donnelly should have reduced the score when he failed to convert almost on the goal line from a Thomas Brady cross. With no further scoring, the half time score remained 3-1 to Coleraine.

A very determined Northend team came out for the second half, sensing that they could get a good result from this match. With Jamie Speirs dropping to defence and Stefan McLees going to left wing, Northend looked a much more balanced team.

Thomas Brady and Kyle Crawford began to dominate play in midfield and Dylan Hamill was causing the Coleraine defence problems on the right wing.

Ryan Gault replaced Donnelly in the Northend forward line and he was on hand to lob the ball over the Coleraine keeper from a Jamie Speirs through ball to make the score 3-2 to Coleraine.

The same player should have equalised and then given Northend the lead when he missed two glorious chances on the Coleraine goal line , the first on the ground and the second a header.

As the play continued to be played in the Coleraine half, Jaime Brown replaced Niall Shannon, but there was no further scoring, to make the final score 3-2 to Coleraine Youth Academy.

Panel: Niall Shannon, Ross Swan, Caolan Tierney, Stefan McLees, Michael Laverty, Jamie Speirs(c), Kyle Crawford, Thomas Brady, Matthew Mulholland, Jordan Donnelly, Dylan Hamill, Ryan Gault, Jaime Brown

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Ballyclare Colts U13s 0 Northend United U13s 4

Saturday 8th May 2010

Northend U13s travelled to the Valley pitches on Saturday in bright sunshine for their last match of the season against Ballyclare Colts in the League.

Northend got off to a flying start, taking the game to Ballyclare right from the kick-off. Matthew Mulholland and Jaime Brown went close for Northend early on before Ballyclare tested the Northend keeper, Niall Shannon, with a long range effort.

Northend opened the scoring when from a Matthew Mulholland cross, Dylan Hamill trapped the ball for Mulholland to score with a high shot into the roof of the net.

Northend continued to attack with Dylan Hamill looking dangerous down the Northend right wing and Stefan McLees doing the same down the left wing. However, Northend were unable to extend their lead and allowed Ballyclare back into the game.

For the remainder of the first half, Ballyclare were the dominant force in midfield. The Northend defence of Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs and Caolan Tierney soaked up the pressure at this stage and Niall Shannon dealt comfortably with whatever Ballyclare threw at him. The score remained 1-0 to Northend at the interval.

Northend brought on substitutes Michael Laverty and Jordan Donnelly for Brown and Gault at half time to give them more options in midfield.

With Speirs now complementing Kerr in midfield, it wasn't long before Northend were back on the attack. Matthew Mulholland picked up a loose ball in the box and beat the keeper with a low shot, to make the score 2-0 to Northend.

Dylan Hamill was next to score when after some fine passing play between Matthew Mulholland and Connell Kerr, left him with the scoring opportunity at the back post to make the score 3-0 to Northend.

Brendan O'Mullan and Ciaran McCambridge were introduced as substitutes to give fresh pair of legs to the Northend defence. Indeed O'Mullan was instrumental in creating attack after attack from Northend on the Ballyclare goal.

However Ballyclare's heads never went down and they had one or two opportunities to score and were unlucky when their striker lobbed the ball over the advancing Northend keeper, only to see the ball go narrowly wide.

With time running out, Captain Jamie Speirs went on a jinxing run, beating two Ballyclare defenders before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle, which beat the keeper to leave the final score 4-0 to Northend United.

Man of the Match: Matthew Mulholland

Panel: Niall Shannon, Caolan Tierney, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Connall Kerr, Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Jaime Brown, Matthew Mulholland, Stefan McLees, Brendan O'Mullan, Michael Laverty, Jordan Donnelly, Ciaran McCambridge

Comber Rec U13s 0 Northend United U13s 6

Saturday 1st May 2010

Northend U13s travelled to Comber's Parkway Ground on Saturday knowing a win would guarantee them third place in the League, their highest finish ever for this team.

The match started at frantic pace and Comber took the game to Northend right from the kick off. Indeed they could have taken the lead only for a last ditch tackle from Stefan McLees who cleared the ball to safety.

Niall Shannon, the Northend goalkeeper, was called upon to make a good save from a long range shot from Comber.

Gradually Northend came more into the game and when Jaime Brown sent a defence splitting pass to Matthew Mulholland, he left his marker and cleverly chipped the ball over the keeper from a tight angle to make the score 1-0 to Northend.

This goal gave Northend some breathing space and when they won a corner, Mulholland crossed the ball and Niall Swann was on hand to score his third goal in three games from corners, to leave the score 2-0 to Northend.

Comber now attacked Northend but their defence of Niall Swann, Stefan McLees and Caolan Tierney held firm.

However, just before half time, a Comber striker was adjudged to have been bundled over in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. The resultant spot kick was blasted over the bar by the Comber player, a let off for Northend. With no further scoring before half time the score remained 2-0 to Northend.

Northend came out for the second half, with Mulholland dropping into midfield and Hamill pushing up front. Northend looked the more hungry team in this half and from a Matthew Mulholland pass, Jordan Donnelly raced clear of the Comber defence and beat the keeper with a low drive to make the score 3-0.

Northend were having a lot of possession in midfield and when Jamie Speirs broke from midfield, his cross was converted at the back post by Dylan Hamill, leaving the score 4-0.

Ciaran McCambridge and Connall Kerr replaced Gault and Donnelly to give fresh running to the midfield. Caolan Tierney, who was having a good game in defence, broke down the Northend left wing and after playing a one-two with Jamie Speirs found himself in front of goals but the keeper saved his resultant shot.

Jamie Speirs, who was playing the true captain's role, went on a jinxing run from midfield, beating two defenders along the way, before unleashing a low shot which the keeper could only parry and Speirs made no mistake with his second time shot.

The same player again scored a carbon copy of his first goal when he broke from midfield, cut inside the defender and hit a low shot into the corner of the goal to make the score 6-0 to Northend.

Just before the end of the game Stefan McLees saw a shot well saved by the Comber keeper before the referee blew for full time.

Man of the Match: Caolan Tierney

Panel: Niall Shannon, Stefan McLees, Caolan Tierney, Niall Swann, Jaime Brown, Jamie Speirs(c), Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Jordan Donnelly, Matthew Mulholland, Brendan O'Mullan, Connall Kerr, Ciaran McCambridge

Larne Youth Academy U13s 1 Northend United U13s 10

Monday 26th April 2010

Northend went into this match fielding a full strength side for the first time since March. Due to the backlog of matches, this match was a double header match for six points. Northend started at blistering pace and were one up in the second minute when a Niall Swann thrown in was flicked on by Mulholland and Jamie Speirs was on hand to beat the keeper with a low shot.

This early goal settled Northend down and they began to play some attacking football. Jaime Speirs broke down the left wing and his cross was met with a volley from Jordan Donnelly which beat the keeper to make the score 2-0.

Larne had chances to come back at Northend but found Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty and Niall Swann in top form in the Northend defence and Niall Shannon in the Northend net dealt comfortably with any long range shots from Larne. Northend continued to attack and Hamill pulled the ball wide of the post when picking up a pass from Ryan Gault in the Northend midfield.

Matthew Mulholland was next on the scoresheet when he chipped the keeper after picking up an excellent throughball from Jamie Speirs. In a golden spell for Northend , Mulholland beat three defenders and crossed for Jamie Speirs to beat the keeper with a strong shot into the top corner. This was followed by an excellent break down the Northend right wing by Dylan Hamill who cut inside an unleashed an unstopppable shot which beat the keeper to make the score 5-0 to Northend.

Larne Youth Academy had no answer to the Northend attacking style of play and when Matthew Mulholland picked up the ball just over the half way line, he beat the defender and lobbed the keeper.

With Jamie Speirs and Ryan Gault controlling play in midfield, Northend were finished yet and just before half time, Jordan Donnely scored his third goal in two games , when he beat the keeper with a high shot into the roof of the net, leaving the half time score 7-0 to Northend.

Larne started off the second half in a more determined fashion and put Northend under a lot of pressure. During this spell Caolan Tierney was a tower of strength in the Northend defence with his excellent reading of the game and strong tackling. Jaime Brown replaced O'Mullan early in the second half.

This half was more of an even affair but Northend increased their lead ten minutes into the half when a Mulholland cross was met with a powerful header from Niall Swann to make the score 8-0 to Northend. With fifteen minutes of this half gone, Ciaran McCambridge replaced Laverty in the Northend defence before a pass from Ryan Gault found Dylan Hamill on the Northend right wing. His resultant run and cross was met by Jaime Brown to power past the helpless keeper for Northend's ninth goal.

Fair play to Larne, who never let their heads drop throughout the game and they scored a deserved goal when a poor clearance header by a Northend defender fell to the feet of the Larne striker who volleyed an excellent shot past the Northend keeper.

Stefan McLees, returning from injury, replaced Gault for the last ten minutes of this half and he was unlucky not to score when the Larne goalkeeper made an excellent save.

Almost on full time, Jamie Speirs, playing the true captain's role, completed his hat-trick with a low shot past the keeper to make the final score 10-1 to Northend.

Man of the Match: Caolan Tierney

Panel: Niall Shannon, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Matthew Mulholland, Jordan Donnelly, Ciaran McCambridge, Brendan O'Mullan, Jaime Brown, Ciaran McCambridge, Stefan McLees

Larne Youth U13s 3 Northend United U13s 3

Saturday 24th April 2010

A depleted Northend squad travelled to Beltoy to play Larne Youth in a BEAYIL League match on Saturday. Due to the unavailability of key players, a reshuffle in the Northend forward line led to Jordan Donnelly playing his first game of the season in the Northend strike force.

On five minutes, Jamie Speirs played a fine throughball to Jordan Donnelly, who found himself clear of the Larne defence and cleverly lobbed the ball over the Larne keeper to a make the score 1-0 to Northend.

Northend continued to attack Larne from midfield but found their defence in excellent form. On fifteen minutes Larne attacked Northend and their cross from the wing found two Larne players standing in an offside position and when the Northend keeper parried the cross, they were on hand to score to make the score 1-1.

Northend kept pressing the Larne defence after this with Jordan Donnelly in inspirational form. He forced the Larne defender to concede a corner on twenty minutes. From a Jamie Speirs corner, Niall Swann was on hand to score into the top corner of the net with a powerful header.

As play swung from end to end, the Northend defence was caught in the wrong position and a fine throughball from Larne midfielder placed their striker clear of the Northend defence and he hammered the ball past Niall Shannon in the Northend net to leave the score 2-2 just before half time.

Northend started the second half with Jordan Donnelly again causing the Larne defence all sorts of problems. With Jamie Speirs controlling the Northend midfield and Michael Laverty and Niall Swann playing well at the heart of their defence, Northend soaked up any attacks that Larne threw at them.

From a penetrating run in midfield, Jamie Speirs cleared two Larne defenders and beat the keeper with a low shot into the Larne net, leaving the score 3-2 to Northend.

Play remained bogged down in midfield for much of this half and with time running out it looked as though Northend would win the points. However a high ball into the Northend defence was only partially cleared by O'Mullan and as the ball fell to the Larne striker he blasted the ball into the Northend net to make the scorer 3-3.

With time running out, play again centred on midfield but their was no further scoring, leaving the match final score 3-3

Man of the Match: Jordan Donnelly

Panel: Niall Shannon, Stefan McLees, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Jaime Brown, Ryan Gault, Ciaran McCambridge, Brendan O'Mullan, Jordan Donnelly

Castleview Swifts U13s 5 Northend United U13s 1

Monday 19th April 2010

Northend United returned to action when they played Castleview Swifts in a League match at Mallusk on Monday night. Northend were in trouble on their warm-up when Stefan McLees had to withdraw from action due to an injury, leaving Northend to reorganise immediately before kick-off.

The match started with Castleview on top in midfield, with the experimental Northend midfield failing to halt the Castleview attacks. Some reorganisation saw Northend return to their more normal formation and for the remainder of thr first half the matched Castleview in the midfield battle where most of these games are played.

Connell Kerr was having a good game with his probing runs down the Northend left wing creating chances for Jaime Brown in the Northend attack. Jamie Speirs , playing in midfield, was controlling the game with some good passing play.

With twenty minutes of the first half gone, an innocent looking Castleview cross somehow found its way into the Northend net, deceiving the Northend keeper on its way, making the score 1-0 to Castleview. Play remained bogged down in midfield for the remainder of the half with no further scoring.

Northend came out for the second half again taking the game to Castleview and when a cross from Ryan Gault found Jaime Brown unmarked in the box, he somehow managed to shoot over the bar from a few yards out, rather than scoring.

Castleview weathered this storm and from an attack down their right wing, caught the Northend fullback out of position and from the resultant cross the Castleview striker scored to make the score 2-0.

Northend pulled a goal back,midway through the second half, when from a superb pass from Jamie Speirs to Matthew Mulholland on the wing, his resultant cross found Jamie Brown unmarked in the box and this time he beat the keeper with a high shot to make the score 2-1.

with Northend now pushing for an equaliser, a long ball from the Castleview defender caught the Northend rearguard out of position and the Castleview easily rounded the advancing Northend keeper and scored to make the score 3-1 to Castleview.

Northend brought on substitutes Brendan O'Mullan and Ciaran McCambridge for Donnelly and Brown to try and get back in the game but with pushing forward for another goal they were badly exposed at the back and the Castleview strikeforce went on to score two more late goals.

Northend can count themselves unlucky with the scoreline as this did not reflect what really happened for much of this match.

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Matthew Mulholland, Jaime Brown, Connall Kerr, Brendan O'Mullan, Ciaran McCambridge, Stefan McLees

Waveney Youth U13s 1 Northend United U13s 1

Saturday 17th April 2010

Northend United played Waveney Youth in a BEAYIL League match on Saturday at the Ballymena Showgrounds. With last week's display in the Scotland Cup at Ayr still playing in the minds of the team, Northend started the livelier in the opening minutes.

On three minutes, Matthew Mulholland played a fine throughball to Jaime Brown, who then saw a rasping shot well saved by the Waveney keeper.

Northend continued to attack Waveney from midfield but found their defence in excellent form. On eight minutes Waveney broke out of defence and a pass to their striker found him in space in front of the Northend goal. As the Northend keeper Niall Shannon came rushing out, the Waveney striker lobbed the ball over his head into the Northend goal to make the score 1-0 to Waveney.

Jamie Speirs and Ryan Gault in the Northend midfield began to dictate the Northend passing game, bringing Dylan Hamill and Stefan McLees more into play.

Jaime Brown was causing Waveney all sorts of problems with his probing runs down the Northend left wing. From one of these runs he squared the ball to Stefan McLees in front of the Waveney goal who just failed to convert when it looked like he was impeded by the Waveney defender.

Northend continued to take the game to Waveney for the remainder of the half but the score remained 1-0 to Waveney at half time.

Jordan Donnelly replaced the injured McCambridge at half time. Northend again started the second half lively and on five minutes, a Matthew Mulholland cross was met with a strong header from Jaime Brown to beat the Waveney keeper and make the score 1-1.

Instead of going forward at this stage to kill off Waveney, Northend then sat back and allowed the Waveney midfield to come more into the game. With Waveney now dictating play, Niall Shannon, in the Northend goal, was called upon to make a fine save from a pile driver of a shot.

Brendan O'Mullan replaced Tierney to strengthen the Northend defence before Dylan Hamill on the right wing broke out of defence and crossed to Jaime Brown who saw his shot go narrowly past the Waveney goalpost.

Waveney could have added to their score towards the end of the game when a dangerous cross was cleared by a last ditch Niall Swann tackle.

With time running out, play again centred on midfield but their was no further scoring, leaving the derby match final score 1-1

Man of the Match: Dylan Hamill

Panel: Niall Shannon, Ciaran McCambridge, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Matthew Mulholland, Jaime Brown, Stefan McLees, Brendan O'Mullan, Jordan Donnelly

Northend United U13s 0 Castleview Swifts U13s 3

Wednesday 7th April 2010

Northend United played Castleview Swifts in A BEAYIL Shield match the Mallusk pitches on Wednesday night.

Northend started with promise and were unlucky not to have taken an early lead when Jaime Brown's shot was only inches past the post. Matthew Mulholland was next to trouble Castleview, when some good passing play between Jamie Speirs and Dylan Hamill put him clear of the Castleview defence but the advancing keeper saved his shot well.

Castleview attacked on occasions but found Michael Laverty and Niall Swann playing resolutely in the Northend defence.

Play was bogged down in midfield for the first twenty five minutes of the game with one side attacking after the other.

However a Castleview break down their Right wing found the Northend left back out of position and from the resultant cross Castleview took the lead.

Northend heads began to drop and Castleview went on to score a second goal just before half time to leave the score 2-0 in their favour.

Northend came out for the second half looking to score an early goal but found the Castleview team equally determined not to let their lead slip away.

Again play flowed from end to end but Castleview always looked the more hungrier and they added a third goal midway through the second half.

With nothing to lose, Northend push Ryan Gault up front and Niall Swann into midfield..

Connall Kerr and Brendan O'Mullan provided a fresh pair of legs, replacing Hamill and Tierney

Following good play from Jamie Speirs and Stefan McLees , a cross from the Northend left wing put Niall Swann in a good scoring position but their defender made a last ditch tackle to clear the ball to safety.

As Northend took the game to Castleview, in the final ten minutes, Ryan Gault had one further chance to score but a good save from the Castleview keeper foiled him.

Northend United U13 team are continuing to improve immensely as the season progresses and are looking forward to their forthcoming participation in the Scottish Easter Tournament at Ayr. Northend know they didn't do themselves justice with this display.

Men of the Match: Niall Swann and Michael Laverty

Panel: Niall Shannon, Jordan Donnelly, Caolan Tierney, Michael Laverty, Niall Swann, Jamie Speirs(c), Ryan Gault, Dylan Hamill, Matthew Mulholland, Jaime Brown, Stefan McLees, Brendan O'Mullan, Connall Kerr